Health events

For a full list of upcoming health events visit www Gazette NET. com/healthbriefs.

VISION, SPEECH AND HEARING

HEARING — Walter Nowak of the Avada Hearing Care Clinic offers a hearing clinic and hearing aid cleanings for area seniors on the first Wednesday of every other month from 1-3 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Free; call 587-1228 for an appointment.

STUTTERING — A support group for people dealing with stuttering meets on the second Wednesday of the month at 15 Brewster Court, Northampton. For information, contact Carla Bernier or Alex Young by email at carla@comtherapy.com or a.young52@hotmail.com, or call 586-1945.

VISION — A low-vision support group meets regularly on the first Wednesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Transportation provided; no fee. For information call Crystal Cote at 587-1226.

VISION — The Low Vision/Blindness Support Group in Huntington meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month from 10-11:30 a.m. at Stanton Hall, 22 Russell Road. Transportation available; to arrange in advance call George Webb at 667-3428. For information call George Reichert at 348-9909.

VISION LOSS CAREGIVERS — MAB Community Services offers a support group for caregivers of those with vision loss. The group meets regularly on the last Thursday of the month from 1-2 p.m. at the First Churches, 129 Main St., Northampton. Participants will learn about area services and resources, develop techniques to reduce stress and share ideas with others caring for someone with vision loss. Free. For information and to register, call Judy Kennedy at 734-7343, ext. 152.

DEBTORS ANONYMOUS — Area groups for those dealing with credit card debt, overspending or underearning. Meetings are Wednesdays at 7 a.m., 478 Pleasant St., Holyoke; Thursdays at 7 p.m., Florence Community Center, 140 Pine St., Florence, side door entrance; and, for business debtors, Saturdays at 8 a.m. at the Holyoke Medical Center. For more information go to www.danewengland.org or call 617-728-1426.

PHYSICAL

WELL-BEING

BLOOD PRESSURE — A walk-in blood pressure clinic for seniors is held on the first Tuesday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Free. For more information call 587-1228.

CANCER — Cancer Connection, 41 Locust St., Northampton, offers a range of support groups for breast cancer, melanoma, ovarian and gynecological cancers; one group is intended for all types of cancer. There are also groups for men and for caregivers. Call 586-1642 for days and times and to register. For more information go to www.cancer-connection.org.

CANCER — A support group for adults with cancer in the Amherst area, offered by Cancer Connection, meets every other Friday. It is open to anyone living with a cancer diagnosis and meets at the South Congregational Church at midday. Registration is required; call 586-1642. For more information about Cancer Connection go to www.cancer-connection.org.

CHRONIC DISEASE — A chronic disease support group meets Mondays from 1-2 p.m. at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz St. Free; peer-run.

EPILEPSY — A support group for people with epilepsy and for parents and caregivers of children with epilepsy meets on the first Saturday of the month from 10 a.m. to noon in the Community Room of Lilly Library, Florence. Facilitators are Lynn Daris of Florence and Kolleen Barlow of Russell. For more information contact Barlow at momtomy3gurls@aol.com or Susan Welby at support@efmarinhme.org.

HEART HEALTH — A support group for women with heart disease meets on the third Tuesday of the month at Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield from 4:30-6 p.m. in Conference Room A. New members are welcome. The facilitator is Vicky Lynde of Colrain, a heart attack survivor. For more information, contact her at 773-2397.

LUPUS — A support group for people managing pain and fatigue related to lupus meets at the Arthritis Treatment Center, 3377 Main St., Springfield. For dates and times call 860-745-9947.

PARKINSON’S DISEASE — Classes in yoga, relaxation and movement for those with Parkinson’s disease are offered by instructor Donna Brooks on Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to noon at the New Directions Center, Route 9, Hadley. The classes teach fun and accessible movements to support dexterity, strength, balance, walking, vocalization, flexibility, motor control and rapidity. Next series begin June 27. Fee. Call 230-1260 or go to originalbodywisdom.com.

PROSTATE CANCER — Education and support for those in the Hampshire County area who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer is available by appointment and in group discussions. Contact Bill Whitmore of Sunderland, a cancer survivor and support provider, at 665-7741.

STROKE — A group for adult stroke survivors and their families, friends and caregivers meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 11:15 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in Conference Room B, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. Free; for more information call Laurie Korza at 582-2259.

FOOD ISSUES

CELIAC AND GLUTEN-FREE — The Celiac and Gluten-free Support Group of Western Massachusetts meets every other month at Big Y Supermarket, 136 King St., Northampton, in the second-floor conference room. Next meeting Sept. 19, 7 p.m. For questions or information, email homsteadhealth@live.com, or call (413) 527-7524.

FOOD ADDICTS — Food Addicts in Recovery Anonymous, a 12-step group for people having problems with undereating, overeating, bulimia or food obsession, holds weekly drop-in meetings Sundays from 4-5:30 p.m. at the Newman Center on the UMass campus in Amherst, and Wednesdays from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Jewish Community of Amherst. No fees or weigh-ins. 259-1433.

OVEREATERS ANONYMOUS — A group to help people dealing with eating issues meets Mondays at 5:15 p.m. at the South Congregational Church, 1066 South East St., Amherst. For information call 665-8210.

WEIGHT LOSS — TOPS, an organization with the goal of supporting people in the struggle of weight loss, meets Wednesdays from 7-8 p.m. at the Easthampton Community Center, 12 Clark St. First meeting free; open to men, women and children age 7 and older. For more information call Irene at 562-8396 or Shelly at 977-8891.

FOOD ADDICTS IN RECOVERY ANONYMOUS —12-step group for problems with bulimia, weight issues, and those obsessed with food, weight or dieting. Free; no weigh-ins. For more information call 259-1433. Ongoing meetings: Sundays 4 to 5:30 p.m., 472 North Pleasant St., Amherst; Wednesdays 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. 742 Main St. Amherst; Fridays 10 to 11:30 a.m. 98 North Maple St.,Hadley.

PARENTING

ADOPTION — The Easthampton Area Parent Support Group, a parent-run group for foster and adoptive parents, kin and guardians, meets on the fourth Thursday of the month from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the library at the Treehouse Community Center, Easthampton Meadows (off Park Street). Others personally connected to adoption, including birth parents or adults who were adopted, are welcome. Group leaders are Sue Beebe and Jennifer Delozier. For directions or information call 527-9241 or 320-3207 or email jenn_delozier@charter.net.

BREAST-FEEDING — The LaLeche League of Northampton meets on the first Friday of the month from 9:30-11 a.m. at Cradle on the third floor of Thornes Marketplace, Northampton. Call 586-5627 or contact Rosemary McNaughton at rosemarylll@mac.com.

CHILDREN AND ADDICTION — A support group to help parents deal with the disease of addiction and substance abuse in their children meets Wednesdays from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the first-floor conference room at Providence Behavioral Health Hospital, 1233 Main St., Holyoke. For more information call Barbara at 246-0677 or Patti at 534-7237.

EMPTY ARMS SUBSEQUENT CHOICES — A group for families who have experienced pregnancy or infant loss and are now anticipating the arrival of a new baby through pregnancy, adoption or surrogacy meets on the second Monday of the month. Contact Carol McMurrich at 529-1610 or email carolmcmurrich@comcast.net for meeting location and time.

GRANDPARENTS — A grandparents support group meets Tuesdays from 9:30-11:15 a.m. at the Amherst Family Center, 121 North Pleasant St. Entrance in rear. Call 256-1145.

GRANDPARENTS RAISING GRANDCHILDREN — A support group for any Easthampton resident raising a grandchild meets on the first Monday of the month from 9:30-11 a.m. in the downstairs conference room of the Easthampton Council on Aging, 19 Union St. 527-6151.

MISCARRIAGE — An Empty Arms support group for women and their partners who have experienced the loss of a baby by miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy meets the second Wednesday of the month from 7 to 9 p.m. in Conference Room D at Cooley Dickinson Hospital, 30 Locust St., Northampton. For more information, contact facilitator Kelly Coffey at strongcoffey@gmail.com.

MOTHERHOOD — An ongoing drop-in group to discuss the adjustment to and complexities of motherhood meets Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Amherst Family Center at the Unitarian Church in downtown Amherst. Free snacks and child care. 253-8990.

MOTHER-JOURNEY — A support group for moms with infants up to 5 months old meets Tuesdays from 1-3 p.m. at Cradle on the third floor of Thornes Marketplace, Northampton. Facilitated by Beth Fairservis, the group offers support, acceptance and answers to common parenting questions. Free. For information call 341-5282 or go to www.cradlefamily.com.

NEW MOMS — A weekly bilingual postpartum support group where women with baby blues, postpartum stress, anxiety or depression can discuss managing the adjustment to motherhood meets every other Wednesday from 1-2:45 p.m. at Midwifery Care of Holyoke, 230 Maple St. All moms and babies under 1 year of age are welcome. Sponsored by Holyoke Medical Center. For information call Lisa Pack at 534-2700.

NEW PARENTS — A group for parents and their newborns up to 4 months old meets Thursdays from 1-3 p.m. in the Childbirth Center Conference Room, Cooley Dickinson Hospital, Northampton. Issues addressed include sleepless nights, infant massage, learning your baby’s cues, returning to work and more. Free. 582-2736.

NON-BIRTHING PARTNERS — What About Me?, a discussion group for non-birthing partners, meets on the fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. at Cooley Dickinson Hospital’s Center for Midwifery Care. The group explores issues related to pregnancy, birth, the postpartum period and parenting. Free. For more information contact Kate Bohne at 687-5817 or at katherine_bohne@cooley-dickinson.org.

PARENTING AFTER LOSS — An Empty Arms support group for those who are grieving the loss of a baby while simultaneously caring for living children meets on the second Sunday of the month. Contact facilator Erika Parker at ehenyey@gmail.com for time, location and more information.

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PARENT SUPPORT — Building Jewish Identity for Children with Special Needs, a parent support and education group, meets on select Sundays from 10:15-11:30 a.m. at the Jewish Community of Amherst, 742 Main St. New members welcome. The group is facilitated by Rhonda Shapiro-Rieser, a former special education teacher who has a degree in Jewish spiritual direction. Free. For information contact Judy Rosenbloom at 256-0160, ext. 203.

PARENTS TOGETHER — A support group for parents who learn best in nontraditional ways meets in Amherst on Thursdays. We do crafts and games as we make friends and take about parenting. Free, with free child play groups, transportation and refreshments also provided. For information call Kris Larson at 834-3344 or email krislarson@unitedarc.org.

POSTPARTUM — A support group for mothers who are experiencing challenging postpartum meets Fridays from 10-11:30 a.m. at the Community Action Family Center, 90 Federal St., Greenfield. Intended for mothers with babies up to age 1. Discussion topics include the hormonal realities of motherhood; the myth of the good mother; whether depression and anxiety are normal; including self care in your life; and more. Sponsored by The Franklin County Postpartum Coalition. For information or transportation assistance, contact Pam Baldwin at 774-1000, ext. 2015, or Sandy Clark at 475-1566.

POSTPARTUM STRESS — A drop-in group for mothers who have infants or toddlers up to age 4 and who are experiencing emotional difficulties meets Tuesdays from 10:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. at the Community Action building, 56 Vernon St., Northampton. Free. For information call 253-8990.